Hey @tobi and @harleyf, there's a serious problem with DMCA claims on Shopify.
Been selling smoothly for 4 years but now, the tide has changed. And it isn't just me, there are thousands of us. #FixShopifyDMCA
A thread (1/13)๐งต
Been selling smoothly for 4 years but now, the tide has changed. And it isn't just me, there are thousands of us. #FixShopifyDMCA
A thread (1/13)๐งต
2. I launched a new store in August - all of my original content. However, in September, a DMCA takedown from a sham store, claiming theft of their photos, led to the instant removal of my product page.
I countered the DMCA and was told to wait 10-14 days.
I countered the DMCA and was told to wait 10-14 days.
3. A 10-14 day waiting period for Shopify to review the counter-notice means two weeks of lost sales in quarter 4.
We urgently need a faster process here.
We urgently need a faster process here.
4. After these two weeks, I won the counter DMCA claim, and my product page was reinstated.
Yet, within 24 hours, the same fraudulent store hit me with another DMCA using the same allegations as the original one...
Yet, within 24 hours, the same fraudulent store hit me with another DMCA using the same allegations as the original one...
5. I countered the DMCA and received a response from an automated system telling me to wait another 10-14 days for a final review.
Now, I am looking at nearly one month of lost sales owing to these unfounded DMCA takedowns.
Now, I am looking at nearly one month of lost sales owing to these unfounded DMCA takedowns.
6. Frustrated, I decided to take action by submitting a DMCA against this person for plagiarizing my content.
Surprisingly, their product page was taken down in seconds.
Surprisingly, their product page was taken down in seconds.
7. However, my ordeal didn't end there. The very next day, I received an email from this individual insisting I withdraw my DMCA or risk getting my Shopify account banned.
8. Ignoring the threat, I awoke the following day to find three more DMCA emails from Shopify in my inbox.
All from the same fake store, resulting in the permanent termination of my Shopify account.
All from the same fake store, resulting in the permanent termination of my Shopify account.
9. Despite proving twice that the DMCA claims were false, Shopify shut down my account. It isn't fair. There needs to be an order, not a free-for-all DMCA fest.
People hiding behind VPNs and fake names make this impossible to pursue legally.
People hiding behind VPNs and fake names make this impossible to pursue legally.
10. I'm not alone in this. Hundreds, probably thousands, are dealing with DMCA abuse too. Shopify, we need you to take charge. We all deserve protection.
Proof I'm not the only one ๐๐ผ
docs.google.com
Proof I'm not the only one ๐๐ผ
docs.google.com
12. Intellectual property matters, but so does safeguarding honest businesses. This can't wait.
A lot of us are relying on @Shopify and with major holidays coming up, this is going to be a nightmare for us sellers. #FixShopifyDMCA
A lot of us are relying on @Shopify and with major holidays coming up, this is going to be a nightmare for us sellers. #FixShopifyDMCA
13. If you're experiencing the same issue, share your story in replies. The more we share, the more attention this issue gets. #FixShopifyDMCA
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